2017 Behind the Scenes 

Hey Chad, thanks for watching. Actually, I do use a Falcon controller in the display, an F16 and differential expansion board is the main controller with receiver boards spread around the yard. There are plenty of controller options nowadays and in the scheme of things a controller will be one of the cheaper components in a display, it's well worth investing in a quality controller that can grow with your show. Best of luck with your first display!

Tyyugvcvv

Hi Manu, sorry no videos in 19/20 but the show is definitely still going strong, all packed down now looking forward to Christmas 2021. Thanks for watching!

Hi Leesah, thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the show. NOEL uses the text effect in xlights and is layered over the top of the other effects on the tree. Candy canes are simply attached to some thin steel pipe which is hammered into the ground. Merry Christmas.

Hi Daniel, thanks for watching. To answer your question, I have always had a keen interest in stage lighting as a hobby but only in recent years have I actually moved into lighting professionally. What I love about Christmas decorating is that there are so many new skills to learn and a great community of people to learn from. As a chippy, I imagine you'll have an advantage when it comes to building and installing props, lots of transferable skills there. Everyone has there strong points, some folks are great at programming/sequencing, others are better at designing and building props and some are good with the techy/computer stuff, in this hobby you get to learn a bit of all of it but you don't need to master it all, there is always someone to help. Don't be nervous, get yourself some pixels and a controller and have a play, you won't look back!

No I haven't needed to add any extra yet. I have a few outdoor circuits in the back yard and just run some long extensions out front, not convenient but perfectly ok. At some point I will get a sparky in to put gpos out front and add another breaker or two but that's an expense I'll put off for as long as possible, lol.

Thank you @@narrelights3692